Wheathampstead Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 1AD
10 reasons to choose Aldwickbury School
Top line
Aldwickbury School has a Schoolsmith Score® of 87. It is one of the best independent prep schools in and around Harpenden and one of the 3 best primary schools for 1 mile.
School fundamentals
Aldwickbury School is an independent prep day and boarding school for pupils between the ages of 3 and 13 years. Historically a boys’ school, the school opened the nursery and pre-prep to girls from September 2025, with the expection of being co-educational across all year groups by 2031. Boarding from Year 5 for the 10% of pupils who board. All are weekly or flexi boarders. It is a Church of England school, open to all faiths and none. The school has an academically selective admissions policy from Year 3. It is a standalone prep school, not tied to any one senior school. Aldwickbury School fees range from £6,260 (Rec) to £8,340 per term (2025/26). Fees include VAT and lunches.
Average class size
Aldwickbury School has three classes per year and an average class size of 14 pupils.
Leavers' destinations
Destinations for Aldwickbury School leavers in the last five years have been 23 different day and boarding schools, local and further afield. Around 40% of pupils go on to St Albans and 10% each to Bedford School and Haileybury. On average 25% of pupils win awards and scholarships, the majority of those to the same three schools. 10% of pupils leave at the end of Year 6, usually for a (partially) selective state school.
The Aldwickbury School curriculum
School curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and the ISEB Common Entrance curriculum with some additions and variations. It also includes PSHCEE, French, Spanish, German, Latin, and a programme of ‘World of Work’ talks for senior pupils. The school offers each child a handful of extra-curricular academic activities or hobby clubs.
More on the curriculum
The school co-ordinates its teaching and learning experieces through its ‘Future Thinking Curriculum’, with the aim to equip pupils throughout the school with the skills they need to navigate an increasingly complex world. These skills include critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication and are explored through six strands of activity; STEAM, Creative Technology, Outdoor Learning & Sustainability, Mind, Communication, Community. There are also regular educational trips for all year groups, visiting speakers and residential trips from Year 7.
Specialist teaching
Specialist teachers for sport, music, drama and languages from Year 1, for art, DT and computing from Year 3, and for most subjects from Year 5.
Sport at Aldwickbury School
5 games sessions per week. School offers between 10 and 15 different sports over the course of the year. Competitive teams in major sports from Year 3. In recent years the school has enjoyed national success in cross-country running, fencing, football, hockey, rugby 7s, swimming, triathlon.
The Arts at Aldwickbury School
Art, music and drama are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. All pupils learn an instrument in class and two-thirds take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. Two choirs, orchestra and 11 instrument ensembles. The school offers each pupil over 5 different extra-curricular creative and performing arts clubs.
Wraparound care
Wraparound care from 7.30am to 6.00pm. From Year 5 there is also dedicated homework time during the school day to facilitate quality family time at home.
Find another school near Aldwickbury School
St Hilda’s School, Harpenden (1.9 miles); St Albans High School for Girls, Wheathampstead House Prep (2.1 miles); The King’s Junior School, Harpenden (2.7 miles); Beechwood Park School (8 miles); Lockers Park School (10.1 miles); Edge Grove School (11.2 miles).
The Grove Junior School (0.8 miles); St Dominic Catholic Primary School, Harpenden (0.9 miles); Crabtree Junior School (1.1 miles).
The King’s School, Harpenden (2.7 miles); St Albans High School for Girls (4.7 miles); St Albans School (5.3 miles); Stanborough Secondary School (10.5 miles); Berkhamsted School (11.9 miles); Queenswood School (11.9 miles).
St George’s School (1.6 miles); Sir John Lawes School (1.8 miles); Roundwood Park School (2.5 miles).